Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) passes over UCLA linebacker Myles Jack (30) in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014.
(Photo by Keith Birmingham/ Pasadena Star-News)

The reigning Pac-12 Freshman of the Year on offense and defense played exclusively at linebacker in UCLA’s season opener, but got his first carry of the season at the Rose Bowl on Saturday. He was in on two plays on the Bruins’ first drive against Memphis, gaining a yard on one carry before subbing back out.

He touched the ball a second time in the third quarter, punching in a four-yard touchdown that gave UCLA a 35-21 lead.

Jack had 13 tackles against Virginia in Week 1, and is expected to play offense only in certain packages this season. He rushed for 267 yards and seven touchdowns through four games in November 2013.

The Bruins’ running back rotation looked significantly improved compared to Week 1. Starting for the first time this season following an 80-yard showing at Virginia, running back Paul Perkins opened the scoring with a 17-yard touchdown, helping the Bruins to a 13-7 lead over Memphis after one quarter.

He ran for a 4-yard score in the second quarter, one that bumped UCLA’s lead to 28-14 with 4:39 left until halftime.

True freshman Nate Starks also made his career debut for the Bruins, moving up on the depth chart after junior Steve Manfro tore his ACL. Starks rushed for 11 yards on his first carry.

Back to start

Center Jake Brendel started his first game of the season Saturday night.

The third-year starter sat out the Bruins’ opener at Virginia with a sprained knee, his absence contributing to the offensive line’s dysfunction. With sophomore Scott Quessenberry making his first career start at center — not to mention true freshman NaJee Toran at right guard — the Bruins gave up five sacks and committed five false starts.

Brendel had started 27 straight contests before sitting out at Scott Stadium, making him the only center quarterback Brett Hundley had ever played behind during a game.

Against Memphis, Quessenberry replaced Toran at guard. He had started six games there as a true freshman after injuries to the offensive line.

Rare miss

For the first time since his UCLA career debut, kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn missed an extra point.

In their home opener Saturday, the Bruins opened the scoring against Memphis with Perkins’ 17-yard run. Poised to take a 7-0 lead over Memphis, the team instead lost five yards on a false start. Fairbairn then kicked wide left, leaving UCLA stuck at with six points.

The junior hadn’t missed an extra point since Oct. 30, 2012, when he missed three of five in a 49-24 win at Rice.

UCLA made up for the lost opportunity with a two-point conversion against the Tigers in the second quarter. Following Perkins’ 4-yard run into the end zone, Tyler Scott’s tiptoe catch gave the team a 28-14 lead with 4:39 left until halftime.

Retirement ceremony

On Nov. 28, UCLA will retire the No. 8 of former quarterback Troy Aikman, who won three Super Bowls during a Hall of Fame career with the Dallas Cowboys.

Aikman will be the ninth player in UCLA history to have a number retired when the ceremony is performed at halftime of the Bruins’ game against Stanford at the Rose Bowl.

“UCLA is a special place to me,” Aikman said in a statement. “Having my No. 8 UCLA jersey retired is something I will forever cherish and this is a very special moment for me and my family.”

Aikman is one of three UCLA players in both the pro football and college football Halls of Fame.

An Oklahoma native, Aikman transferred to UCLA from the University of Oklahoma in 1986. During his two seasons playing for the Bruins, he led the team to a 20-4 record and two bowl victories before being selected by the Cowboys with the No. 1 pick in the 1989 NFL draft.

His 5,298 yards, 41 touchdowns and completion percentage of 65 all ranked second in UCLA history when Aikman departed the program.

Clay Fowler is the sports features and UCLA basketball writer for the Southern California News Group. He has been working for SCNG since 2006, when he moved to Southern California from his native Texas. He was born and raised in Dallas and graduated from the University of Texas in 2002. He lives in La Verne with his wife and son. He is probably craving Chinese food right now.

Jack Wang covers the Chargers, the latest NFL team to relocate to Los Angeles. He previously covered the Rams, and also spent four years on the UCLA beat, a strange period in which the Bruins' football program often outpaced their basketball team. He is a proud graduate of UC Berkeley, where he spent most of his time in The Daily Californian offices in Eshleman Hall — a building that did not become earthquake-safe until after his time on campus.

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